Bracelet structure



Sept. 22,1936. K. c. AUGENSTEIN 2,055,328

BRACELET STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 7, 1935 5K as? lllllllllllbjllllll'i Patented Sept. 22, 1936 BRACELET STRUCTURE A Karl C. Augenstein, Cranston, lit. 1., assignor to speidell Corporation, Providence, R. L, a corporation of Rhode Island Application September '1, 1935, Serial N 39,573

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved bracelet structure of the type in which cords or other flexible members are employed for forming parts of thexbracclet, and wherein the cords or flexible ir'iembersare connected together by suitable connectingmeans *the parts of which may be adapted for detachable connection to provide a convenient means for separating the flexible members.

One object of the invention is the provision in a device of this character of novel means for securing. the end portion of a flexible member to a part of a connecting means in such a manner as to permit the detachment of the flexible member end from the connecting means when desired while holding it securely against accidental release.

Another object of the invention is the provision of readily releasable latching means between parts of the connecting means for readily separating the parts from each other or securing them together without separating either of the flexible members from its connection with the adjacent part of the connecting means.

A further object of the invention is the pro-'- vision of a novel form of clamping means for connecting one end of a flexible member with a connecting member which contains no outwardly projecting part and is normally incapable of being accidentally released by pressure or by a blow.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relate to various improved details of construction and novel arrangements of the parts as will be more fully set forth in the detailed description to follow.

Referring to the drawing:--

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of one form of watch bracelet embodying the improved structure,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same,

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the connecting means for connectingadjacent ends of flexible members together.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through a portion of the connectingmeans, taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing the flexible member clamping means in open position and with the latch member in closed position,

55 of the connecting'means, and,

Fig; 5 is a longitudinal sectional view, similar.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the connecting members showing the clamping member in open position and illustrating the location of the flexible member ends relative to the channel portion of the connecting member prior to their engagement by the clamping member.

In that form of the invention illustrated herewith, l designates the flexible members which in the present case are shown as parallel cords formed to present adjacent ends to engage with a portion of a wrist watch or suitable attaching means carried thereby, while the opposite ends of the cords are secured in a connecting link member 2 or 3, forming part of a connecting means 4 for connecting the flexible members.

The connecting link member 2 as shown comprises a channel shaped holder 5 provided with side walls 6 each having a longitudinally extending slot l formed therein adjacent to one end thereof and having an inturned lug 8 located adjacent to the opposite end and overhanging the channel portion. A slidable clamping member 9, shaped to fit within the open side of the channel portion of the connecting link member 2, is providedwith oppositely positioned pins in extending outwardly therefrom and adapted to be positioned within the oppositely arranged slots 1 formed in the side walls of the member 2. 'The slidable clamping member 9 is of such length as to be adapted to slide beneath and be held in closed position by the lugs 8 when moved to the limit of its forward or advanced movement as permitted by the pins in sliding within the slots. l, and is so formed as to be capable of being slid rearwardly so as to clear the lugs 8 when moved to the limit of its rearward move ment as allowed by the pins in. The clamping member 9 is provided at the end opposite to that carrying the opposed pins, Ill with downtumed teeth H adapted to engage the free ends of the cords l and hold them firmly in position within the channel portion of the connecting link member when the clamping member is in its closed position. The clamping member has a plate i2 secured to or formed integral with the outer face thereof and located between the inturned lugs 8 when the clamping member is in closed position with its outer end portion underlying the inturned lu s 8.

The connecting link member 3, as illustrated herein, comprises a channel shaped holder 14 provided with spaced side walls i5 having oppositely positionedlongitudinally extending slots l6 for receiving opposed pins ll carried by a clamping member IS. The side walls 15 are the clamping member ill in closed position when it is pressed downwardly between the side walls and slid forwardly to the limit of sliding movethe pins I! in the longitution of the flexible member when the clamping.

member is in its closed position to retain the free ends of the flexible member securely in position within the channel portion of the connecting link member. The clamping member [8 is also provided upon its outer face with a plate 2| secured to or formed integral with the clamping member at the 'end adjacerpt to the teeth 20, the plate 2] being of such dimensions as to substantially flt between and appear as a continuation of the lugs l9 when the clamping memberis moved to fully closed position.

In securing the end of cords I, or other suitab'e flexible members, to the connecting link members 2 or 3, the adjacent ends of the flexible members may be positioned within the channel portion of the connecting link member, with the clamping member pressed rearwardly to the limit of its movement and tilted upwardly after the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 6 of the drawing. The clamping member may then be turned about its opposed pinswto close substantially the open side of the channel portion of the connecting link member; and slid forwardly to the limit of its forward sliding movement to bring the end portion thereof beneath the inturned lugs carried by the; side walls of the connecting link member.

When moved into this position, the downturned teeth carried by the clamping member engage portions of the flexible member ends to hold them securely within the channel portion of the connecting link member and prevent them from becoming separated therefrom accidentally.

It will be noted that the construction is such that any pull exerted upon the flexible member will tend to draw the clamping member more securely beneath the inturned lugs and thus more firmly lock the clamping member in its holding position.

Pressure may be applied to the plate l2 or 2! to press the teeth into the flexible member ends 3 v and force the clamping member forwardly beneath the inturned lugsto a position approximating the limit of forward movement of the clamping member, and when moved to such positlon the plates l2and 2| are respectively positioned between and are substantially continuous with the opposed inturned lugs to provide substantially continuous transverse surfaces and eliminate a multiplicity of sharp edges. These plates provide convenient means for engaging the clamping members in sliding them either into closed position or moving them rearwardly from beneath the inturned lugs to release the flexible member ends.

In'releasing the free ends of one of the flexible members from the connecting link member, the

clamping member is slid rearwardly to or adjacent the limit of its rearward movement as permitted by theopposed pins within the longitudinal slots. This results in suflicient rearward movement of the clamping member. so that the end will clear the inturned lugs, thus permitting it to be tilted intothe position shown in Figs. 4

2,056,328 also provided with inturned lugs l9 for holding and 6 of the drawing to permit removal of the free ends of the flexible member from the channel portion of the connecting link member.

The connecting link member 3 is provided with an extension 22, somewhat narrower than the overall width of the connecting members 2 and 3, which extension is provided with spaced side walls 23, each having a depression 24 formed therein. The depressions 24 in the opposed side walls are oppositely positioned relative to each other to receive a bail 26 carried by the connecting link member 2. A latch 21 is pivotally mounted, as at 28, adjacent to the end of the extension 22 and is capable of being moved into closed position to securely retain the bail 26 within the depressions 24 of the spaced side walls 23, the latch 21 being provided with an inturned lug 29 adapted to snap over and engage a portion 30 of the extension 22 to hold the latch securely in place and retain the bail 26 against separation from the extension member 22. The extension member 22 and latch 21 are of such width as to permit the bail 26 to be passed thereover when the latch is open in order to provide for the complete detachment of the connecting -members 2 and 3 or their separation from each other in applying the bracelet to the wrist or removingit therefrom without detaching either iflexible'm ember from its connecting link mem- 1 her and without detaching either flexible member from the watch.

' From the above it will be seen that the free ends of the cords or flexible members may be detachably secured to the connecting members 2 and 3 in such a manner as to be clamped firmly thereto, and by fastening means which present a smooth surface appearance free from any substantial projecting part, such as might inconvenience the wrist of the wearer or be liable to catch in the clothing. 'The, provision of the latching member 21 between the connecti members, and so positioned as to be operable from the side of the bracelet opposite to that from which theclamping members 9 and I 8 are operated, permits the separation or connection of the connecting members without interference with the clamping members Sand I8 so that the bracelet may be applied to or removed from the wrist without disturbing the connections between the flexible members and the watch or between the flexible members and the connecting members.

In the normal position of wear of the bracelet,

as shown in Fig. 1, the latch member 21 is located outwardly and in a position where it is readily accessible for manipulation to connect or disconnect the connecting members 2 and 3. The outer surface of the base or bottom wall of the channel portion of each connecting memher is thus located outwardly of the wrist when the bracelet is in normal position, and this base portion may be shaped or ornamented to Present an attractive appearance upon the wrist of the capable of being securely connected to the conand described. a

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the character described. a connecting member having a channel portion for receiving. the end of a flexible member, a flexible member having an end portion adapted to lie within the channel portion of said connecting member, aclamping member pivotally and slidably supported adjacent to one end thereof by said connecting member and provided at a point adjacent to its free end with means for engaging a portion of said flexible member, and means carried by said connecting member engaging said clamping member when in a position approximating the limit of its forward sliding movement for retaining said clamping member in closed clamping position and holding said clamping means in engaging contact with saidilexible member while permitting opening of said clamping member when-moved to a position approximating the rearward limit of its sliding movement.

2. A fastener for flexible members comprising a channel shaped connecting member provided with an open end for receiving a portion'oi. a flexible member, a clamping member slidably supported by said connecting member and pro-,

vided with means for gripping engagement with a flexible member located in the channel portion of'said connecting member, and means carried by said connecting member and overlying a part at least of the channel portion for retaining said clamping member in clamped relation with a flexible member when adjacent to one extremity of its sliding movement while releasing said clamping member for movement from clamping engagement withsuch flexible member when the clamping member is located in a position adjacent to the opposite extremity of its sliding movement. 3. A watch bracelet comprising flexible member sections, connecting means connecting the free ends of one of said flexible member sections with the free ends ot'the other of said flexible member sections comprising separate connecting members, means for detachably securing the free ends of each of said flexible member sections to one of said connecting members, and meanscarried by and forming parts of said connecting members for detachably connecting said connecting members to each other, comprising an extension member formed integral with one oi.

' said connecting members and provided with bottom and side walls, and a latch member pivotally supported by said extension member and movable into position to serve as a closure for the remaining side of said extension member, said i. A bracelet member comprising a pair or flexible member sections, connecting means connecting adjacent ends of said flexible member sections to each other comprising separate connecting members, means located upon one side of each of said connecting members for detachably securing an end of one of said flexible member sections to one of said connecting members, an

extension member carried by one of said connecting members and provided with bottom and side walls, and a latch member having one end pivotally supported by the side wall of said extension member and movable into position to serve as a closure for the-open side of said extension member, saidlatch. member engaging a portion of the other connecting member in its closed position to provide a connection between said connecting members.

means carried by said holder member engaging the free end of said clamping member when the same is moved into closed position relative to the holder member and longitudinally thereof in the direction of its tree end to retain the clamping member in closed position relative to the holder member and in clamping relation with a flexible member located within the holder member.

6. A connecting means for bracelet parts comprising a channel shaped holder member provided with bottom and side walls, a clamping member fltting substantially between the side walls to provide when closed a top wall for said holder member, means carried by said clamping member and side walls for pivctally supporting i said clamping member adjacent to one end thereof for. movement towards and from said holder member'or bodily movement longitudinally of said holder member into retracted or advanced position relative thereto, means carried by the free end .0! said clamping member andprojecting within the channel shaped portion of said holder member in the closed position 0! the members for engagement with a part to be held within the holder member, and means carried by said holder member'and out of engagementwith said clamping member when in its retracted position for engagement with said clamping member in its closed advanced position relative to said holder member to retain said clamping member in closed position relative to the holder member.

K ARLC. AUGENSTEIN. 

